A hand fracture is a crack or break in a bone in the hand. Commonly referred to as a broken hand, this type of injury can result from a fall or direct blow. Individuals who participate in contact sports or have weakened bones due to osteoporosis have an elevated risk of sustaining broken bones, including hand fractures.

A broken hand can cause pain that worsens with gripping and other hand movements. Other common symptoms include stiffness, swelling, bruising, weakness, and numbness.

How Is a Hand Fracture Treated?

Like any broken bone, a hand fracture should be treated as soon as possible in order to promote proper healing. A main goal of treatment is to confirm that the ends of the broken bone are correctly aligned. To address a slight displacement, a physician may perform a closed reduction procedure to gently manipulate the bone ends back into place. To address a significant displacement, surgery may be discussed. A surgeon can place a small fixation device, such as a pin or screw, to hold the bone ends in position during the healing process.

Another goal of hand fracture treatment is to manage any pain and other symptoms. Some potentially effective options include:

Immobilization – A splint or cast can be worn to limit hand movement, which can improve comfort and promote the proper healing of a hand fracture.

Hand therapy – Rehabilitative stretches and exercises can minimize stiffness and enhance the range of motion in the hand after the hand has healed enough.